Couch to 5k - any good?
Discussion
ShampooEfficient said:
For anyone needing motivation, I can confirm from this morning that it definitely does work. Just completed my first 5k, happened to be a local charity one.
30.xx, so my target is set now- since I havent trained for a month or so, I'm happy!
Excellent - well done 30.xx, so my target is set now- since I havent trained for a month or so, I'm happy!
smn159 said:
J4CKO said:
Dont want to be "a runner" and get into doing massive distances, just think I should be able to comfortable run a couple of miles at a decent pace and then maintain that level.
I said something similar when I started running in 2016. Did the London Marathon this year 
Well done, though I struggled with my second week 3 run, which is just three minute stints, cramp started cramping up, knees a bit sore.
Need to stretch more I think, I have the decent running shoes (Brooks) as fitted by the local running shop.
Just going to doggedly work through it, aiming to do it by the end of the year, hopefully sooner but am going to repeat weeks if not comfortable until I am.
J4CKO said:
Wow !
Well done, though I struggled with my second week 3 run, which is just three minute stints, cramp started cramping up, knees a bit sore.
Need to stretch more I think, I have the decent running shoes (Brooks) as fitted by the local running shop.
Just going to doggedly work through it, aiming to do it by the end of the year, hopefully sooner but am going to repeat weeks if not comfortable until I am.
Well done! I'd suggest a session with a physio sooner rather than later for anyone starting running, even if you don't yet have any injury symptoms.Well done, though I struggled with my second week 3 run, which is just three minute stints, cramp started cramping up, knees a bit sore.
Need to stretch more I think, I have the decent running shoes (Brooks) as fitted by the local running shop.
Just going to doggedly work through it, aiming to do it by the end of the year, hopefully sooner but am going to repeat weeks if not comfortable until I am.
I started developing niggles as I increased my distance, but all were related to tightness and lack of flexibility, probably as a legacy of a working life behind a desk, and could have fairly easily been sorted with some targeted stretches and strengthening work before becoming issues.
Physio will diagnose any underlying tightness in your hamstrings / quads / weakness in hips etc and you'll be able to address them early.
Good luck!
smn159 said:
J4CKO said:
Wow !
Well done, though I struggled with my second week 3 run, which is just three minute stints, cramp started cramping up, knees a bit sore.
Need to stretch more I think, I have the decent running shoes (Brooks) as fitted by the local running shop.
Just going to doggedly work through it, aiming to do it by the end of the year, hopefully sooner but am going to repeat weeks if not comfortable until I am.
Well done! I'd suggest a session with a physio sooner rather than later for anyone starting running, even if you don't yet have any injury symptoms.Well done, though I struggled with my second week 3 run, which is just three minute stints, cramp started cramping up, knees a bit sore.
Need to stretch more I think, I have the decent running shoes (Brooks) as fitted by the local running shop.
Just going to doggedly work through it, aiming to do it by the end of the year, hopefully sooner but am going to repeat weeks if not comfortable until I am.
I started developing niggles as I increased my distance, but all were related to tightness and lack of flexibility, probably as a legacy of a working life behind a desk, and could have fairly easily been sorted with some targeted stretches and strengthening work before becoming issues.
Physio will diagnose any underlying tightness in your hamstrings / quads / weakness in hips etc and you'll be able to address them early.
Good luck!
Getting a bit easier, its not really me being out of breath, its more trying to not strain anything, I pulled my calf a bit last week so I left it until today to run again and it was pretty easy, week four now so 5 minute stints of running and dont feel daunted but does have a feeling like trying not to break an old, slightly fragile car 
Edited by J4CKO on Monday 9th July 21:25
Vaud said:
Ok, middle aged bloke whose 5 year old is getting fast... I have never run before as a form of exercise though used to hike, ski, etc.
Week 1 just done. So far, so good, taking it easy on pace but managed each run. Using the podcast.
Good stuff- keep following the plan and don't run so quick you can't have a conversation Week 1 just done. So far, so good, taking it easy on pace but managed each run. Using the podcast.
Quick thread bump as I’m feeling quite pleased with myself...
Gave up booze on 28th December (100+units a week for last 10 years), gave up fags, again, on Sunday (20 a day last year)
Joined gym Sunday, so on treadmill...
Managed 3km in 20mins on Sunday.
3.5km yesterday and 4km today.
Early days but feel good, if a little sore!
ETA I’m 45 and normal BMI
Gave up booze on 28th December (100+units a week for last 10 years), gave up fags, again, on Sunday (20 a day last year)
Joined gym Sunday, so on treadmill...
Managed 3km in 20mins on Sunday.
3.5km yesterday and 4km today.
Early days but feel good, if a little sore!
ETA I’m 45 and normal BMI
Edited by steveT350C on Tuesday 15th January 17:30
As above, the great thing about C25K is that it eases you into it. Don't do running everyday, you should have a rest day between each session, stick to the program and before you know it you'll be doing solid half hour runs.
That said I'm feeling a little sore myself today but then I did do a 10k trail run on Sunday and 5.5k last night. Half marathon build up starting soon....
C25K was the start of it all for me.
That said I'm feeling a little sore myself today but then I did do a 10k trail run on Sunday and 5.5k last night. Half marathon build up starting soon....
C25K was the start of it all for me.
Mrs C and I started to C25K in autumn last year, having never run before.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and never thought i'd actually run for 30 mins!
After a few weeks on consolidation running (3 per week) i have this week started on the BUPA beginners 10k programme, as i have signed myself up for a local 10k later this year.
Best thing i ever did
Thoroughly enjoyed it and never thought i'd actually run for 30 mins!
After a few weeks on consolidation running (3 per week) i have this week started on the BUPA beginners 10k programme, as i have signed myself up for a local 10k later this year.
Best thing i ever did
sas62 said:
sas62 said:
Im on week 4.
3 minutes, 2 lots of 5 minutes and finish with 3 minutes.
So far so good but can't say Im looking forward to the 20 minutes with no breaks looming at week 7.
Got to week 5 on the C25K program (week before last) and didn't stop when I reached the walking stage.3 minutes, 2 lots of 5 minutes and finish with 3 minutes.
So far so good but can't say Im looking forward to the 20 minutes with no breaks looming at week 7.
It felt good so I just carried on for 30 minutes (about 4.5k)
I've since done two 5Ks - one at 34:13 and one at 32:50. Must admit that after the first it took about 3 days to recover totally from the aches and pains .
Aim now is to try to get 3 runs in each week and target 30 mins then I may try a park run.
Whoever said on this thread that the longer runs are psychological was totally right. Although I'm out of breath at the end of 5k, I'm not totally shattered.
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